The optical zoom of a camera is a measure of how much the camera can zoom in to the subject using the camera's lens system. An optical zoom is superior to a digital zoom because the zoom is achieved using the optics of lens which means that the full extent of the digital sensor is always used to capture the image.

A larger optical zoom allows you to zoom in on the subject without having to move closer. Compared to a digital zoom, using an optical zoom does not result in a loss of image quality.

94mm longer maximum focal length
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The Canon IXUS 160 has a maximum focal length of 224mm, but the Nikon Coolpix S2900 is only a 130mm maximum focal length digital camera (94mm shorter).

The maximum time which the camera shutter is open when taking a photo.

Moderately better expert reviews

The average expert review score of the Canon IXUS 160 is 69%, however the average rating of the Nikon Coolpix S2900 is 65% (based on 2 reviews).

Moderately better user reviews

The average user review score of the Canon IXUS 160 is 80%, however the average rating of the Nikon Coolpix S2900 is 77% (based on 19 reviews).

5 Reasons For

0.1MP higher megapixel count
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The Nikon Coolpix S2900 has a megapixel count of 20.1MP, but the Canon IXUS 160 is only a 20MP digital camera (0.1MP lower).
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The resolution of the images a digital camera produces is measured in megapixels (MP). One megapixel is equal to 1 million pixels and is a result of the pixel width multiplied by the pixel height of the image. While a higher image resolution generally results in sharper images, only a relatively low megapixel count is required when printing the image at a small size or to display it on a computer screen.

A sensor with more megapixels will be able to capture more detailed photos and the image will appear sharper. Images with more megapixels can also be printed at a larger size.

The number of shots per battery charge is the number of photos that the camera will typically take on a single charge of the battery.

More shots per battery charge means you will have to recharge the battery less frequently and reduces the need to carry a second back up battery.

Reasons Against

5 Reasons Against

Lower megapixel count
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The Canon IXUS 160 is a 20MP digital camera. That's 0.1MP lower than the Nikon Coolpix S2900 (20.1MP).
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The resolution of the images a digital camera produces is measured in megapixels (MP). One megapixel is equal to 1 million pixels and is a result of the pixel width multiplied by the pixel height of the image. While a higher image resolution generally results in sharper images, only a relatively low megapixel count is required when printing the image at a small size or to display it on a computer screen.

A sensor with more megapixels will be able to capture more detailed photos and the image will appear sharper. Images with more megapixels can also be printed at a larger size.

The number of shots per battery charge on the Canon IXUS 160 is 220.00, but the Nikon Coolpix S2900 only takes 250.00 shots per battery charge.
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The number of shots per battery charge is the number of photos that the camera will typically take on a single charge of the battery.

More shots per battery charge means you will have to recharge the battery less frequently and reduces the need to carry a second back up battery.

8 Reasons Against

0.02MP less total megapixel count
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The Nikon Coolpix S2900 has a total megapixel count of 20.48MP, however the Canon IXUS 160 is a 20.5MP digital camera (0.02MP more).

3x smaller optical zoom
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The Nikon Coolpix S2900 has an optical zoom of 5x, but the Canon IXUS 160 is an 8x optical zoom digital camera (3x bigger).
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The optical zoom of a camera is a measure of how much the camera can zoom in to the subject using the camera's lens system. An optical zoom is superior to a digital zoom because the zoom is achieved using the optics of lens which means that the full extent of the digital sensor is always used to capture the image.

A larger optical zoom allows you to zoom in on the subject without having to move closer. Compared to a digital zoom, using an optical zoom does not result in a loss of image quality.